Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress accident at Wells, United States of America, 2 Jan 1943 (42-5152)
On January 2, 1943, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (registration 42-5152) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Wells, United States of America in flight. 10 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain. Official weather reports state that the mountain tops were probably obscured in stratocumulus clouds with scattered snow showers. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
Controlled flight into terrain. Official weather reports state that the mountain tops were probably obscured in stratocumulus clouds with scattered snow showers.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The airplane departed Wendover AFB on a navigation exercise with a crew of 10 on board. En route, weather conditions worsened and the crew decided to cancel some parts of the mission. While cruising at an altitude of 11,000 feet in limited visibility, the airplane impacted the east side of a peak located in the Ruby Mountain Range, near the Pole Canyon, about 37 km southwest of Wells. As the airplane failed to return to base, SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended as no trace of the airplane nor the 10 occupants was found. The wreckage was spotted on 24 June 1943. Crew: 2nd Lt Cyril J. Casey, pilot, 2nd Lt Ray C. Hochheimer, copilot, 2nd Lt Clifford J. Elliott, navigator, 2nd Lt Arthur F. Kelly, bombardier, Sgt Michael J. DiSalvo, flight engineer, Sgt Alexander C. Johnson, assistant flight engineer, Sgt Seymour E. Sonkin, radio operator, Sgt Byron E. Olson, assistant radio operator, Sgt Lowell T. Stoner, air gunner, Sgt James A. Karnspon, air gunner.
Probable cause (official findings): Controlled flight into terrain. Official weather reports state that the mountain tops were probably obscured in stratocumulus clouds with scattered snow showers.